Obama is the new Pokemon

[OzarkDem]

It just dawned on me when I saw the photo of all the young folks standing in line to see the Obama rally. As a parent of kids this age, I recall how it was when the latest fad swept onto tv and into the local department store. The kids went wild for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Batman or whatever the new cartoon/toy was and we all marched obediently to Toys R Us to buy sheets, curtains, underwear, games, stuffed toys, action figures, party decorations, movies, etc.

It feels the same way with the Obama phenomenon, all the young adults tugging on my sleeve, telling me I MUST support Obama, he's the greatest! As parents, do we blame ourselves? Did we indulge them too much and reinforce their televison based consumerism until they chose a presidential candidate the way they chose the latest video game?

Please kids, this is different. Presidential candidates aren't guaranteed, they're more likely to have flaws than the latest Microsoft product. Presidents can't be taken back to the store when you find you don't like them or they break down. You're stuck with them for 4 years. So settle down, lay off the Mountain Dew and do a little research about your guy before you go decide.

[Jed Dilligan]

1. Man, we really need a thumbs-down button

to decommend threads like this.

:thumbsdown:

[OzarkDem]

3. Then prove me wrong

Show me how Obama is better on the issues and has more experience than Clinton.

[Jed Dilligan]

18. What?

All I see in your pos post is more "We're the grownups they're the kids neener neener" bashing of Obama supporters.

There are sixty-four pages of specific policy recommendations posted on Obama's website, and they are substantially similar to Clinton's.

Grow up, baby!

:sarcasm:

[Bucky]

99. By the terms you lay out, we only have to prove Obama is stronger on the issues than Pikachu

And with all due respect to Pikachu, I think Obama would be a stronger candidate than any Pokemon.

[Indenturedebtor]

113. Heres a couple of threads you should read

Make sure you read down to the 4-5 post long list on policy


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4461878

Issues... and maybe you'd care to post in this new one cause it's pretty bare in there. I'd really like to know what you think. Truly.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4474887

And here's a comparison on Ethics and Transparency issues by an admitedly biased supporter yet it's all correct ;) Enjoy!

http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/barack-obama-vs-hillary-clinton-records-on-transparency-lobbyists-and-ethics/

[calmblueocean]

79. Heh, I've thought the same thing many times. It's too bad recommendation only works one-way.

Maybe we would have a better discussion if we could vote down some of the more trolly content.

[SoxFan]

119. Another finger would be more appropriate

[calteacherguy]

2. A truly disgusting, chidish, and immature post. The OP is 12 years old, I bet. nt

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

4. It is very true, Obama is marshmellow fluff, MTV, pop culture media creation!

[OzarkDem]

Absolutely, he's a creation of a marketing campaign

All the kids lining up for the rallies where Obama chants slogans and drinks pop and, and, and...

Its like Barney or something.

[burythehatchet]

40. REDFISHBLUEFISH IGNOREFISHGETLOSTFISH

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

44. Go Mets! LOL

[OzarkDem]

5. Nope, 53

With two kids who are voting age.

[calteacherguy]

9. Then grow up and act your age. nt

[OzarkDem]

15. I am, now talk about the issues

that's where we'll really see an age difference.

[calteacherguy]

19. You can start acting like a grown up by deleting the OP.

Until that time, I will limit my conversations to the adults on this board, not you.

[OzarkDem]

29. Temper, temper

I and others have posted zillions of topics trying to engage everyone in substantive discussion of the issues, only to see them drop like stones.

If you want your support of your canidate to be taken seriously you need to do more than come here and cheerlead for him.

[cali]

80. lol. YOU, able to talk about the issues?

never seen it. never will.

[KittyWampus]

102. You want to talk about issues? Hillary has NOTHING to say about net neutrality,

broadband, technonolgy.

Obama has an entire webpage devoted to policies on that and all Clinton mentions is tv violence.

LOL!

[femrap]

124. I can't believe you

are a teacher in a real school.

[burythehatchet]

49. Give them my condolences.

[angie_love]

101. You're that old and you still act immature? I feel bad for your wife

[OzarkDem]

107. I'm a woman

Welcome to DU. You really should get to know the people who have been here a long time.

[angie_love]

116. Oh Ok, I thought such ugliness wouldn't come from a woman, guess I was wrong

[mathewsleep]

6. haters

gotta catch 'em all!

[OzarkDem]

No, I don't hate Obama

I'm sure he's a nice guy and may have a shot at being president some day. This just isn't the time.

[mathewsleep]

25. i'm sorry that you are such a pessimist.

[OzarkDem]

32. On the contrary, I'm optimistic

just not about your candidate.

[mathewsleep]

53. i think your optimism in clinton is unfounded.

she will lose to mccain. he comes across, right or wrong, as a straight shooter. where as hillary, again right or wrong, comes across as a divisive vindictive partisan hack. in the last elections the independents really choose the winner. and for the most part, half of them just flat out don't like her.
having half the swing voters are already against her, she has no hope. the base can't win an election.

[OzarkDem]

60. I haven't made up my mind yet

[mathewsleep]

68. it's been hard for me to be civil to you.

your post seem designed to enrage people. i'm not saying that was your intention. but that's what it looks like to me. that aside, i've seen plenty of good posts from you, so i won't join in calling you names as most obama supporters have. trust me, obama is a better man then a lot of his fans.

[OzarkDem]

82. It is not meant to enrage anyone

Its intended to make people stop and think about why they're supporting a candidate. I have no doubt there are some Obama supporters who have well thought out, good reasons for supporting him and you're probably one of them. But others aren't showing it.

Get serious about your candidate if you support him and encouage the others to do the same. I haven't made a decision yet about who to support and I'm having a hard time seriously considering Obama because of the junk that is being posted here.

[mathewsleep]

85. again,..

he's better then a lot of his fans.
the same is true for clinton. if i thought she was as bad as some of her fans around here i'd leave the party for letting her get this far in politics.

[LittleClarkie]

91. Designed for it or not, you're suggesting that Obama supporters are a bunch of shallow children

following a fad.

Thanks a whole lot. Just a new name to put on the pile. I'm already a cultist, might as well be a childish fad follower.

[OzarkDem]

111. I suspect most aren't

and my apologies to those who are serious supporters. But perhaps people need to take a moment to reflect on how they promote their candidate and consider whether its the best way to attract other voters.

That said, when you see news stories about thousands of young people who've never been politically active before showing up for Obama rallies, when his campaign is not discussing substantive issues, you have to question their marketing strategy and whether its appropriate for something as serious as a presidential race.

Obama needs to have an honest discussion with these neophites about who he is and where he really stands on the issues instead of rolling himself out as new product. GOP candidates do that, but Dems shouldn't.

[Poll_Blind]

7. :thumbsdown: n/t

PB

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. So then what does that make people who still have Edwards avatars?

Toddlers who won't give up their favorite blankey?

[OzarkDem]

34. People who engage in serious discussions

wanna have one?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. I'd love to have one, Ozark.

Shall I start?

[OzarkDem]

42. Sure

go ahead. Pick your topic.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

46. Your OP was ill-advised, embarassing, and ironically immature.

Your turn.

[OzarkDem]

48. Issues, discuss issues

and no, you're not hurting my feelings. I don't mind.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

50. You asked for a discussion.

You didn't say anything about relevant political issues.

"and no, you're not hurting my feelings. I don't mind."

I didn't intend to. I'm offering you a chance to admit the errors of your ways and save a little face.

[burythehatchet]

55. There ain't no face left to save.

[OzarkDem]

56. Discuss issues

that's what is important. If you don't realize it now, you will later, possibly when its too late to change things.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

63. OK.

So now you want to discuss issues? Is that what you're saying?

[OzarkDem]

66. That's what I've said all along

Yes

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

69. Your OP wasn't about issues at all.

It's hard to take you seriously when you play dumb like this.

[OzarkDem]

84. Its a way to startle you into discussing something serious

believe me, its hard to get Obama supporters to discuss issues here. Its something you all should work on before you lose support from serious voters.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

87. No, it wasn't.

It was a silly ad hominem slur.

[nonconformist]

115. Hard? It's virtually impossible!

They'll either pick one little thing you said and just dogpile and hammer on that, or go strawman, to avoid anything of substance.

[burythehatchet]

52. THEN POST ABOUT ISSUES. HOLY SHIT

[OzarkDem]

65. Iraq and the ME

Tell us why Obama is the better candidate for getting us out of Iraq.

[burythehatchet]

70. NO. You don't get to start another Obama is a cult thread and then

pretend you have the synaptic energyy for a serious debate. Go be ashamed of yourself, ask the mods to delete your pathetic thread and come back for a hot cocoa and a nice talk.

[OzarkDem]

73. I'm giving you a chance

to prove I'm wrong about the shallowness of Obama's support. So do it.

[anigbrowl]

98. Really, OzarkDem

You do know that this shoddy debating tactic is self-defeating when people can read back on everything you wrote earlier. If you had wanted to start a thread about issues, you would have done so by putting some issues on the table. Instead you started a thread about Obama is just a fad in your opinion. Take responsibility for the tone you set with your first post if you expect to be taken seriously.

[OzarkDem]

106. You haven't read my threads, then

or you would see many discussing serious issues in this campaign. Go ahead, I'll wait.

[JVS]

127. Whoa dueling Edwardians

It's funny seeing the same siglines on both sides of a dispute

[Blue-Jay]

10. Jeez....

I have an idea!

The next time you have a thought, let it go.

[jefferson_dem]

11. The stupidest OP of the day...

and that's saying alot.

JE would slap you upside the head for posting this one with his image attached.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OzarkDem]

67. Don't tell me

You're condoning violence against women? Not cool.

[Yossariant]

12. Spot on post! He is the "candidate du jour" that all the kids just have to have.

:thumbsup:

[calteacherguy]

16. Maria Shriver is a kid? Ted Kennedy is a kid?

The senator of Missouri is a kid, the Governor of Arkansas and Washington is a kid?

Grow up you mindless fool.

[Yossariant]

36. Hope for change? Kennedy? Shriver? It's all bells and whistles with this guy.

[McCamy Taylor]

The Kennedys have latched onto every trend since McGovern trying to stay...trendy!

[K Gardner]

13. Thanks for the 300th Obama is Cult/Fad Post of the Day ! We Needed ONE MORE and I'm just certain

DOZENS of people will be moved by your thoughtful commentary !!! :yourock:

[OzarkDem]

23. Then provide some of your own

talk about the issues, not the horse race.

[Horse with no Name]

14. Excessive, indulgent consumerism is driving this election process

Look at what sells on TV.
The Survivor phenomenon. Let's throw the candidates off the island each week because we must limit the choices given to us.
American Idol phenomenon. Oh man, he's a ROCK star. "I like what s/he says as long as it is in short sing-song verses and catch phrases."

[OzarkDem]

17. Yep!

Anyone who disagrees needs to bring an issues discussion to the table.

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. I wonder why some can't or won't or just flat out refuse too see this?

:shrug:

[bicentennial_baby]

20. -1

[Exultant Democracy]

21. Ageist bigotry n/t

[zonkers]

62. Amen.

[faithfulcitizen]

And Edwards has such a wealth of experience?

Must be all those Ken and Barbie dolls you played with in the old days... What the hell kind of ridiculous post is this? This is what DU has come to - pathetic.

[LittleClarkie]

24. I'm pretty sure Pokeman players were not of voting age

Are you saying the voting age is too young, if those poor misguided 18 year olds can't be trusted with their vote? Kids bug you for stuff they can't get for themselves. But these young adults sure can vote for themselves. They don't need you to do that for them. Do you object to them campaigning? I'm not sure why you would.

So the man has supporters and they are enthusiastic. Whoopie.

[OzarkDem]

51. My 18 yr old isn't on the Obama bandwagon

He hasn't made up his mind yet. But I was reminded of this when we were cleaning out the old toy closet the other day and found Pikachu and Simba.

[no name no slogan]

27. I agree. We should just become the party of Mondale again.

Were you a Democrat in the 1980s? There was hardly anybody active in the party who was under 30 back then. I remember attending statewide Young Democrats conventions that could be held in a Reliant K car.

This party needs young people. If Obama gets them in the door, more power to him.

[Josiah1982]

28. obama is more of "beanie baby" than pokemon

[ellisonz]

43. Adults were some of the biggest collectors of Beanie Baby's...

[Josiah1982]

81. I don't think many people collect them now. they had an expiration date as does obama.

[ellisonz]

97. And Hillary is a pillar of salt...

[boston bean]

30. Pikachu!!!!!!

[blondeatlast]

31. You forgot "Hey, you brats! Get offa my lawn!

:eyes:

[OzarkDem]

41. Naw

Our house has always been the one with the "organically grown" yard, where all the kids in the neighborhood could come and play. But everyone had to share toys.

[KAZ]

33. You're better than this.

Get the blinders off. Try replacing "Obama" with "Clinton" in your screed, and it may sound familiar to you, as some rant from an Obama supporter.

That said, I kind of feel that way about both of them. I am so fricking happy that our party has an African America and Woman as the leading contenders of our primaries. It's historic, and I feel caught up in both campaigns.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

35. he should come with a warning label K/R

[burythehatchet]

38. You are not bright

[in_cog_ni_to]

54. burythehatchet, please don't call people retarded. Do you realize

we have members that have mentally disabled family members? That is so unkind.:( It's a bad word to use.

[burythehatchet]

59. Sorry.

see, changed it to a more pc insult :)

[in_cog_ni_to]

64. That's better.

:):hi:

[ellisonz]

39. I haven't ignored you because, you're funny!

And no Virginia, Barack Obama's positions are not identical to Hillary's. See the Iraq War.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

[OzarkDem]

47. That's very true

They do have different positions on the war. I still haven't made my mind up on that particular issue.

[zonkers]

105. Laughter trumps everything.!

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

72. Unlike the OP, your reply is against the rules.

[NJSecularist]

57. Ozark, grow up.

You are 53 but you act like you are 13.

Instead of bringing the discussion into the gutter, like you have done all so frequently in the last few days, how about contributing something positive instead of bitching about Obama?

[OzarkDem]

71. Welcome to DU

[moc]

58. I'm 45yo, and I remember pet rocks and mood rings. Don't be so patronizing.

Just because you don't support Obama, don't pretend to be the "wise one". You just come off as an arrogant jerk.

[OzarkDem]

86. But I didn't think of Jimmy Carter like a "mood ring"

Back in the day, we went to the campus Leage of Women Voters forums and discussed the issues. Maybe young voters took things more seriously back then because of Vietnam and the draft.

[moc]

94. Why do you trivialize their support for Obama by assuming they put no thought in it?

Like I said, you're being patronizing and arrogant. *Thoughtful* people can support Obama. Just because you don't understand the basis of their support doesn't mean they're not thoughtful.

[bunnies]

61. Its P-O-K-E-M-O-N.

Seriously. Misspelled insults arent as effective.

[OzarkDem]

75. Thanks, I forgot

I'll change it.

[cali]

74. When my kid wanted all that junk, I put my foot down. How pathetic

that you're so weak minded and easily brain washed that you couldn't. Of course, some of us had more sense than to let our children sit in front of the idiot box like you let yours do.

I had enough sense not to indulge my child in trash. Too bad you were so weak and let your kids be brainwashed.

[juajen]

88. My grandchildren collected pokemon cards and enjoyed them

immensely. What did your kids play with? Where are those perfect children now? In perfect homes, voting for Obama?

[cali]

My son played with brio wooden train sets

he started skiing at age two and ice climbing at 10. He built forts in the woods and read instead of watching TV. He's now 21 and taking a year off after college to ski and travel. Then he's applying to law school. And yes, he's been working for Obama. He's been a political critter since he was a little kid. He's never been in trouble a day in his life. He's a good guy.

[OzarkDem]

89. Typical post

:rofl:

[cali]

92. BWAHAHAHA

It was a post that aped your OP. And you don't even see it. Typical of you to lack the ability to grasp the obvious. Too funny.

:rofl:

[abburdlen]

76. Pokeman went to Harvard?

Wow.

Seriously though, excitement about a candidate and civic involvement is a good thing.
I'm sorry if you feel like other people go overboard with their emotions.

Just so we know, what is the acceptable level of enthusiam to display? Your favorite candidates name tattooed on your face is probably too much, but can we clap when we like what they say? Quiting your job to go across the country volunteer in a campaign - too much? How about taking time off of work to vote?
Please tell us, we children need your sage advice.

[juajen]

77. Ahhhh so, the new Pokeman.

Good post. I believe a lot of the adults are just afraid of being considered "not up on things," you know? Of course, some could have other agendas.

I still can't understand John Kerry begging Clinton to get off his sick bed after his quadruple by-pass to campaign for him; and both Clintons coming to Teddy's rescue, and thanking them by campaigning against him. Some ungrateful buzzards, eh? I would love to have been a fly on the wall.

[OzarkDem]

90. OMG, I'd forgotten that!

about Big Dog campaigning for Kerry when he looked like he was on death's doorstep. Really shameful and says a lot about both men.

[high density]

78. WTF does that mean?

If Obama is bringing in young people, then that's a great thing. It makes no sense to disparage him for doing so. Would you rather have them supporting McCain? When you have Obama vs. the "1990s" candidate on the Democratic site, I'm not surprised to see younger people going to Obama. The 1990s were great, but let's move on to something new.

[OzarkDem]

103. There are two Dem candidates in the race

I would hate to see young voters make a mistake in choosing someone just because he is "marketed" well. Being young and black isn't enough to make a decision about who to vote for.

Those of us who are still trying to make a decision are having a difficult time of it with the level of campaigning and political discourse that's going on. I'm trying to stay open minded about Obama's candidacy but its getting difficult.

Let's not trivialize the Dem presidential primary.

[high density]

112. There's little policy difference between the two

so it does come down to leadership style, marketing, and the "who do you like more" factor. Clinton is playing the "marketing" game with her husband, so it only seems practical that Obama fight this in some way. Otherwise he's like John Kerry in August 04. It doesn't really trivialize the primary, it just adjusts the ultimate underlying reasons as to why somebody supports one candidate over the other.

I think Obama's "marketing" is going to be much better for the general election. Clinton has a bunch of baggage and preconceived notions to break or defend against, while Obama seems like a much more clean slate. Neither is a perfect candidate, but they're what we've got.

[Lord Helmet]

83. there's a lot of pooping in Cheerios going on here

[stimbox]

93. It's like the Lite Beer from Miller discussion.

Tastes great!
Less filling!

Both candidates have the same positions.
Both Obama and Hillary are Lite Beer from Miller.

But in this case it's Democratic Presidential Candidate from DLC.

More Progressive!
Less Centrist!

[OzarkDem]

104. No these candidates do not have the same positions

that's why its important to discuss their differences.

[stimbox]

108. We can discuss the nuances of their positions.

Their voting records have been similar.

Any candidate with a differing opinion has been forced out.
You should know that as an Edwards supporter.

[jeffrey_X]

95. AWESOME

[Beaver_Run]

96. Very intelligent Post

Thanks!

[Wombatzu]

100. typical racism

equating a minority or people who would support a minority candidate as children.

[OzarkDem]

109. If you really support Obama

you need to get past the stage of playing the race card when someone disagrees with you.

[Wombatzu]

114. no, it's an actual symptom of racism and classism

sorry. i could care less what color he is and i don't think it's been that much of an issue.

but your post was pretty classic.

[Cha]

110. And you're so jealous your brain

is in warped speed.

[ebdarcy]

117. Could you be any more ageist?

How dare you assume that a young Obama supporter hasn't done their homework? How dare you assume to know that their youth is misguiding them? How dare you talk down to them? What gives you the right to be dismissive about their choice and their vote?

I am 28 years old. I don't know if that still qualifies me as young or not, but I know how I felt about certain political matters when I was younger. I remember the Monica scandal from my teenaged years, and thinking that all of these elected officials should be more focused on running the country than on trying to ferret out a sex scandal. I remember watching in horror as the Supreme Court installed Bush. I remember being 22 in 2001, and being aghast at the whole idea of the Patriot Act. And I remember being horrified when I realized that my more experienced and supposedly wiser representatives were giving into fear and overwhelmingly voting to dismantle my civil liberties. I remember the IWR and knowing it was wrong and I remember watching them vote for it, thereby guaranteeing Bush's war. I have never trusted Bush; I was never that naive.

You know, people complain that the youth are apathetic and don't care about politics. And then they complain when the youth do get involved. You can't have it both ways.

Neither of these candidates were my first choice; neither of them are liberal enough for me. But I do pay attention, and before making my decision, I did do some research and soul-searching. I'm voting in the Ohio primary for Obama. And if Hillary should win the nomination, then I will proudly vote for her in November. They are both smart and capable individuals. And neither of them deserve to be compared to Pokemon or the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Not all young people are shallow and vapid. And not all older people are wise and experienced. Please do not generalize and oversimplify an entire segment of the population.

We are all allowed to vote as we choose. I think most of us know what's at stake.

[fortyfeetunder]

126. this post deserves its own K&R

good comeback!
(from a boomer)

[Schema Thing]

118. Con descend

much?

[whatchamacallit]

120. I hope your kids grow up strong, wise, and empowered, despite you.

:puke:

[earth mom]

121. Oprah is SELLING Obama. Does anyone need any more proof that Obama is a "product"?!

:crazy:

[DainBramaged]

122. Furbies, Tamagotchi, Pet Rocks, Cabbage Patch kids, all the same

Just fads.



Presidential candidates, however, are live human beings. I think the kids know that. Their future could be in his hands. I think the word is "hope", because we as "adults" have done a shitty job of running this country the past 8 years.


I think we need to give OUR children much more credit than (comparing the Obama campaign to) a piece of shit released by Microsoft.:eyes:

[twenty4blackbirds]

123. this is just amazing

not one Obama supporter has yet to support Obama in a substantive method by researching and posting relevent quotes from his speeches (as opposed to just linking to his page of speeches) to prove why Obama is the greatest.

Go America!

(edit for grammar)

[LordJFT]

125. Om, Obama does better among well-educated people

his supporters aren't the ones that need to do research